South African Home Owner – September 2019

198 september 2019

gardens

ere’showtochannelthelatestgardendesigntrends,

asseenat thisyear’sRHSChelseaFlowerShow– the

world’squintessentiallandscapedesignhub.

Wild,nativeplantingWasusedinabundance

AccordingtoGretchenGrenvilleofGrowWildNursery,SouthAfrica

hasa wealthofwater-wisenativeplantsthatsuitthislook.She

suggestsinterweavingplantswithsmall,needle-shapedleaves

likeAgathosma,ColeonemaandEricaspp.;bulbslikeCyrtanthus,

Gladiolus,Gloriosaspp.;andtuberous-rootedKniphofia,Crinumand

Dietesspp..

lushfoliageWasatake-homeplantingtrend

To recreate this look, Felicity Teixeira of Blue Petal Garden Design

suggests using mostly evergreen, seasoned performers. “You can’t

go wrong with Agapanthus ‘Nana Blue’ and ‘Nana White’, which

can tolerate both shade and sun,” says Teixeira. Deidre Causton of

Inspirations Joburg suggests Agapanthus ‘Twister’ and ‘White Ice’,

or ‘Queen Mum’ for height.

trees took centre stage

Understated woodland-inspired underplanting featured Digitalis

(foxgloves), Arhriscus (cow parsley) and a selection of grasses.

According to Grenville, “Large trees beautify the landscape

and provide wildlife with an environment for breeding and

feeding.” Small trees and shrubs are equally appealing. For

lush layers of indigenous foliage, Grenville suggests Polygala

myrtifolia, Freylinia tropica, Mackaya bella, Bauhinia natalensis and

Erythrina humeana.

“Ornamental grasses work for year-round foliage colour and

texture. Festuca ‘Grey’ is a beautiful foil, while evergreen liriope is

lovely for background planting where some height and softness are

needed,” says Teixeira.

floWers Were everyWhere, used as jeWels sparkling amid

the greenery

Spring gardens are all about sensory appeal. Opt for butterfly bushes

(Gaura lindheimerii) that dance in the soft breeze, bulbs in full bloom

and roses that fill the air with aromatic appeal. Q

With thanks to Grow Wild Nursery, Inspirations Joburg,

Blue Petal Design and the Royal Horticultural Society

thisseasonfollowa

relaxed,naturalistic

approachtoplanting,

advisesKarienSlabbert

H

fling

Spring

petalled perfection

Trends aside, no garden is complete without

ribbons of these classic spring blooms.

Annual/biannual: Foxgloves, Iceland poppies,

feverfew, lobelias and snapdragons.

Perennials: Ixias, gladiolus, freesias, Euphorbia

‘Diamond Frost’, Felicia amoena ‘Variegata’,

delphiniums, hellebores and scabious.

Bulbs: Tulips, liriopes, chincherinchees,

muscari and irises.

Source: Keith Kirsten Horticultural International

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